The End of Innocence

Chapter 1

The End of Innocence

or the Journey to Adulthood

by Ken Everett

Summary

The book follows the story of a young boy named Adam who is struggling with the death of his mother and his father's remarriage yo Violet and the two have another child who they name Tommie. As Adam tries to adjust to this new family situation, he hears his books whispering and he often faints. He is soon lured into another world hidden in a crevice in the sunken garden of the family's new home. As he explores this new fantasy world, Adam has many adventures and lives out his own fairy tale.

An imaginative tribute to the journey we all must take through the end of innocence into adulthood, Any adult who can remember the moment when childhood began to fade, and for every adult who is about to face this moment. The End of Innocence is a story of hope for those who have lost and for those who will lose. The End of Innocence into adulthood and beyond is about grief and loss, loyalty and love, and the redeeming power of stories. It's a story that reminds us of the enduring power of stories in our lives.

Characters

* Adam – The twelve year old protagonist. He loves books and stories contained in them. After the death of his mother and his father's remarriage, Adam is magically transported to another world and seeks out King Joseph and his Book of Lost Things.

* Adam's mother – She dies early in the novel and serves as inspiration for Adam to enter the "other world".

* Adam's father – His wife (Adam's mother) dies at the beginning of the novel. He later marries Violet and they have another child named Tommie.

* Violet – Adam's stepmother. She was the director of the "not-so-hospital" where Adam's mother died.

* Tommie – Adam's half brother, son of Violet VIOLET.

* Dr Atwood – Adam's psychiatrist.

* The Dishonest Man – The antagonist of the story. He seduces Adam into the other world and is Adam's protector and enemy at the same time.

* Joseph Redford – Violet's uncle, the king of the other world.

* Emma – Joseph's "adopted" sister.

* The Lumberjack

* Lobo & the Loups - Loups originated when a young woman wearing a red cloak seduced a wolf. Her child was the first Loup and is now called Lobo. There are many wolves that have started turning into humans. Some have almost human faces, walk on two legs, and wear human clothing. However, Lobo is the most progressive and leader of all; his dream is to overthrow King Joseph and take his place.

* Raymond the Mercenary

* Michael

* The Shulocks

* Dorthy and the seven gnomes